KWBA-TV

The first attempt at putting a station on channel 58 in Sierra Vista was KCCA-TV (call sign standing for Cochise County, Arizona). KCCA was owned by Sierra Vista Television, owned by Thomas Gramatikas.{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1983/C-TV-1983-YB.pdf|title=Broadcasting Yearbook |date=1983|page=C-4|access-date=March 10, 2015}} The proposed station would have broadcast from a tower in the Sierra Vista area with a power of 2.38 million watts; however, the Tucson area would have been blocked by terrain from seeing it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139045/cochise-county-to-get-its-first-tv-stati/|date=January 7, 1982|page=1A|first=David|last=Hatfield|title=Cochise County to get its first TV station|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139045/cochise-county-to-get-its-first-tv/|url-status=live}} It may have desired to operate as a subscription television station, indicated by a 1982 filing where the FCC granted KCCA permission to install subscription television equipment. By 1985, the permittee was Manning Telecasting, who also held the construction permit for channel 11 in Yuma,{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/C-Television-BC-YB-1985.pdf|title=Broadcasting Yearbook|date=1985|page=C-4|access-date=March 10, 2015}} but the permit vanished the next year, and KCCA never made it to air.

The history of the current channel 58 began November 22, 1996, with a construction permit granted to KM Communications to serve Sierra Vista and Tucson on analog channel 58. The call letters were originally KAUC, but in August 1997, the station changed their call letters to KWBA to reflect their affiliation deal with The WB; the former superstation feed of Chicago's WGN-TV served as Tucson's de facto affiliate of The WB until KWBA signed on. In 1997, the station announced its existence and that it was close to securing Tucson office space.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139187/tv-channel-will-air-from-sierra-vista/|date=August 23, 1997|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139272/ 3A]|first=Alan D.|last=Fischer|title=TV channel will air from Sierra Vista|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139187/tv-channel-will-air-from-sierra-vista/|url-status=live}} The station had now changed ownership, being held by a partnership of two companies: Sierra Television (a KM subsidiary{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139444/stations-start-up-costs-to-hit-10m/|date=August 29, 1997|page=2B|first=William G.|last=Clemens|title=Station's start-up costs to hit $10M|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174237/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139444/stations-start-up-costs-to-hit-10m/|url-status=live}}) and Tucson Communications. Its general manager was Ron Bergamo, an alumnus of the University of Arizona returning to Tucson after a six-year stint as general manager of KTSP-TV/KSAZ-TV in Phoenix.{{r|Ariz970823}}

Delays in permitting for the tower site on U.S. Forest Service land{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139989/december-debut-set-for-new-tv-station-he/|date=October 22, 1998|page=11C|first=Jonathan J.|last=Higuera|title=December debut set for new TV station here|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105139989/december-debut-set-for-new-tv-station/|url-status=live}} held up construction more than anticipated, but KWBA-TV began broadcasting on December 31, 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105140077/wb-affiliate-channel-58-goes-on-the-air/|date=December 31, 1998|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105140262/ 5A]|title=WB affiliate Channel 58 goes on the air today|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105140077/wb-affiliate-channel-58-goes-on-the-air/|url-status=live}} WB programming was supplemented by short local features, syndicated programs, and Arizona Diamondbacks baseball.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105140884/making-airwaves-tucson-affiliate-in-wb/|date=December 31, 1998|page=1C|first=Raina|last=Wagner|title=Making airWAVES: Tucson affiliate in WB network powers up today|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174237/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105140884/making-airwaves-tucson-affiliate-in-wb/|url-status=live}} It proved a success: in 2001, it tied for the highest rating among all WB affiliates in non-metered television markets (those still measured by diaries).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105141108/kwba-tv-ties-for-win-in-nielsen-sweeps/|date=April 7, 2001|page=E7|first=Michele|last=Stewart|title=KWBA-TV ties for win in Nielsen sweeps|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105141108/kwba-tv-ties-for-win-in-nielsen-sweeps/|url-status=live}} That year, Tucson Communications changed its name to Cascade Broadcasting Group, having become the sole owner. In 2006, KWBA-TV affiliated with The CW upon the merger of The WB with UPN.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105125601/tucsons-kwba-tv-will-join-the-new-cw-ne/|date=March 23, 2006|page=1D|first=David|last=Pittman|title=Tucson's KWBA-TV will join the new CW network in fall|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707082007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105125601/tucsons-kwba-tv-will-join-the-new-cw/|url-status=live}}

On March 18, 2008, Journal Broadcast Group announced it would purchase KWBA-TV, creating a duopoly with KGUN-TV. To make the $11.9 million purchase, Journal had to apply for a failing station waiver; even though Tucson had too few commercial station owners to normally permit another duopoly, it presented financial statements showing it had lost money for three years straight (with operating losses nearing $900,000 a year in 2006 and 2007{{cite news|url=https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/purchase-price-11-9-million-cw-affiliate-kwba-in-danger-of-failing-if-not-combined/article_dbc3680f-74b8-5c52-8e91-c6a3ac78b337.html|work=Inside Tucson Business|first=David|last=Hatfield|date=March 28, 2008|title=Purchase price: $11.9 million CW affiliate KWBA in danger of failing if not combined with KGUN 9|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/purchase-price-11-9-million-cw-affiliate-kwba-in-danger-of-failing-if-not-combined/article_dbc3680f-74b8-5c52-8e91-c6a3ac78b337.html|url-status=live}}), a situation exacerbated by the loss of Diamondbacks baseball rights (the team moved all games to Fox Sports Arizona after the 2007 season), and pledged to start a local newscast from KGUN-TV for air on KWBA-TV. The FCC permitted the acquisition in June.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104381445/fcc-grants-waiver-for-purchase-of-kwba/|date=June 5, 2008|page=D1|first=Gerald M.|last=Gay|title=FCC grants waiver for purchase of KWBA|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625065117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104381445/fcc-grants-waiver-for-purchase-of-kwba/|url-status=live}} Work was carried out that fall to move KWBA-TV into KGUN-TV's studios.{{r|ITB081003}}

On July 30, 2014, it was announced that the E. W. Scripps Company would acquire Journal Communications in an all-stock transaction. The combined firm would retain its broadcast properties, including KGUN, and spin off the print assets as Journal Media Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/business/news31-b99321641z1-269303021.html|title=Journal, Scripps deal announced|last=Glauber|first=Bill|date=July 30, 2014|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=July 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731160230/http://www.jsonline.com/business/news31-b99321641z1-269303021.html|url-status=live}} The FCC approved the deal on December 12, 2014, and shareholders followed suit on March 11, 2015; the merger was completed on April 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/scripps-journal-merger-complete/139332|title=Scripps, Journal Merger Complete|work=broadcastingcable.com|date=April 2015|access-date=May 25, 2015|archive-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704085656/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/scripps-journal-merger-complete/139332|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.netnewscheck.com/article/39934/scripps-journal-communications-complete-merger-and-spinoff|title=Scripps, Journal Communications Complete Merger And Spinoff|work=netnewscheck.com|access-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174819/http://www.netnewscheck.com/article/39934/scripps-journal-communications-complete-merger-and-spinoff|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=dead}}

On April 19, 2024, CW majority owner Nexstar Media Group announced that the network would not renew its affiliations with Scripps-owned stations, including KWBA-TV.{{cite news |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=Nexstar Dropping Scripps-Owned The CW Affiliates in 7 Markets |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/nexstar-dropping-scripps-owned-cw-affiliates-in-seven-markets |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=April 19, 2024 |language=en}} On July 31, Tegna announced that it had reached a deal with the network in which it will affiliate with MyNetworkTV station KTTU-TV (channel 18).{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2024 |title=The CW Network Announces New Affiliates In Tucson, Arizona, Santa Barbara, California, And Corpus Christi, Texas|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/the-cw-network-announces-new-affiliates-in-tucson-santa-barbara-and-corpus-christi/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |publisher=Nexstar Media Group, Inc. |language=English}}{{Cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Nexstar Dropping Scripps-Owned The CW Affiliates in 7 Markets|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/nexstar-dropping-scripps-owned-cw-affiliates-in-seven-markets |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=Next TV}}

KWBA-TV rebranded to Arizona 58 on September 1, 2024. As part of the rebrand, the station will air select Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth games through Scripps Sports and acquire the syndication rights to GMFB: Overtime.{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2024 |title=KWBA-TV rebranded to Arizona 58|url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/kwba-tv-rebranded-to-arizona-58 |access-date=August 28, 2024 |website=KGUN 9}}

{{see|KGUN-TV#News operation}}

In 2003, KWBA entered into an agreement with local CBS affiliate KOLD-TV (channel 13) and launched a 9 p.m. newscast in April of that year; Fox affiliate KMSB-TV soon followed with their own 9 p.m. newscast.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104567760/wb-was-first-at-9-but-will-soon-have-com/|date=June 5, 2003|page=1E|first=Jennifer|last=Jett|title=WB was first at 9 but will soon have company|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 4, 2022|archive-date=July 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704054028/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104567760/wb-was-first-at-9-but-will-soon-have/|url-status=live}} Within a year, KMSB's offering edged out KWBA's in the ratings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415785/kvoa-falls-to-kold-in-news-race/|date=May 2, 2004|page=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415868/ E3]|first=David|last=Hatfield|title=KVOA falls to KOLD in news race|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415785/kvoa-falls-to-kold-in-news-race/|url-status=live}} The KOLD-produced newscast was short-lived, as it went off the air on December 15, 2005, after the contract with KOLD-TV expired and the two parties could not agree on a new direction for the newscast.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415947/wb-news-at-9-signing-off-after-thursday/|date=December 11, 2005|page=E6|first=Erin|last=White|title=WB News at 9 signing off after Thursday|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415947/wb-news-at-9-signing-off-after-thursday/|url-status=live}}

In September 2008, KGUN began rebroadcasting its 6 p.m. newscast on KWBA at 9 p.m.{{cite news|url=https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/media_technology/inside_media/technical-glitches-leave-kgun-9-with-no-high-def/article_cd386829-67a3-541b-95c4-c570c5e9a9c0.html|date=October 3, 2008|title=Technical glitches leave KGUN 9 with no high-def|first=David|last=Hatfield|work=Inside Tucson Business|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/media_technology/inside_media/technical-glitches-leave-kgun-9-with-no-high-def/article_cd386829-67a3-541b-95c4-c570c5e9a9c0.html|url-status=live}} KGUN began producing a live weeknight-only 9 p.m. newscast for KWBA-TV on March 9, 2009.

In April 2014, KGUN began airing a one-hour extension of its weekday morning newscast on KWBA from 7 to 8 a.m., titled Good Morning Tucson Extra.{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kwba-tucson-to-launch-new-morning-newscast/|work=TVNewsCheck|date=April 16, 2014|title=KWBA Tucson To Launch New Morning Newscast|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707174238/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kwba-tucson-to-launch-new-morning-newscast/|url-status=live}}

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

KWBA-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 58, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television; the digital signal continued on UHF channel 44, using virtual channel 58.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The station was then moved to channel 21 in the repack.{{r|rei}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.kgun9.com/thecwtucson KWBA page on KGUN-TV website]

{{TUC TV}}

{{Other Arizona Stations}}

{{Scripps Sports}}

{{EWS CORP}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwba-Tv}}

Category:1998 establishments in Arizona

Category:Court TV affiliates

Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations

Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates

Category:Independent television stations in the United States

Category:Ion Plus affiliates

Category:Sierra Vista, Arizona

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1998

WBA-TV